About Guided Futures Advocacy

Our Mission

Guided Futures Advocacy was established with a clear purpose: to help children, young people and adults with care and support needs achieve better long-term outcomes through independent progression reviews, future planning and outcome monitoring.

Many individuals with care and support needs receive dedicated support from families, local authorities, education providers, health services and care professionals. While these services play a vital role in meeting immediate needs, there can be challenges in understanding whether support arrangements are helping individuals make meaningful progress towards greater independence, improved quality of life and the futures they aspire to achieve.

The FUTURES Framework™ was developed to provide an independent, structured approach to measuring progression, identifying barriers, strengthening future planning and supporting more informed decision-making. Working alongside local authorities, providers, families and professionals, Guided Futures Advocacy helps ensure that support arrangements remain focused not only on keeping individuals safe and supported, but also on helping them achieve meaningful long-term outcomes.

Through independent assessments, progression reviews, future planning, wellbeing observations and structured reporting, we provide clear, evidence-based insight into an individual's development, aspirations and quality of life. Where barriers or concerns are identified, we make practical recommendations designed to support positive change and improve long-term outcomes.

Our approach is built upon established principles of behaviour analysis, person-centred planning, outcome measurement and quality-of-life assessment. It is underpinned by professional integrity, transparency and collaboration, recognising that the best outcomes are achieved when individuals, families, providers and commissioners work together towards a shared vision for the future.

We believe that success is not measured simply by whether an individual is safe and supported today, but by whether they are being given every opportunity to progress towards greater independence, fulfilment and a better future.

The FUTURES Framework™

Meet the Team

  • Shadie Banton-John

    Founder & Designated Safeguarding Lead

    Guided Futures Advocacy was founded by Shadie Banton-John, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with over 16 years of experience working with children and young people with additional needs across family homes, schools, nurseries, and community settings. Throughout her career, Shadie has designed and delivered programmes supporting children with complex needs while working closely with families, education providers, and professionals to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, wellbeing, and care. She is also the founder of SEN Sports, an inclusive sports organisation operating multiple clubs across different local authorities and partnering with organisations such as Special Olympics Great Britain. In addition, Shadie is a registered childminder regulated by Ofsted, giving her further direct experience in safeguarding, compliance, and working closely with families. This combination of behavioural expertise, safeguarding practice, and operational leadership underpins the standards that Guided Futures Advocacy will bring to every family and local authority partnership.

  • Keah-Myte

    Guided Futures Advocacy Advisory Board

    Qualified Social Worker and Experienced Paediatric Healthcare Professional

    Extensive experience supporting children and young people with complex needs, neurodisabilities and safeguarding concerns. She has worked across healthcare and local authority services, including adolescent early help, safeguarding social work and leaving care teams, where she has supported vulnerable young people and their families through holistic assessments and multi-agency collaboration. As Director of Treble Care Ltd, Keah provides independent, family-centred support for children with additional needs. She brings valuable expertise in safeguarding, SEND support and family advocacy to the Guided Futures Advocacy Advisory Board, helping ensure services remain ethical, practical and focused on improving outcomes for families.

  • David M.

    Guided Futures Advocacy Advisory Board

    Headteacher, The Gatwick School

    David is an experienced Headteacher with a strong commitment to inclusive education and safeguarding. As Headteacher of The Gatwick School, he brings extensive leadership experience in supporting children and young people across a wide range of needs, including those with SEND.

    David is a member of the West Sussex, DfE Local Inclusion Support Offer (LISO) board and a Trustee for Small Steps Children’s Charity, demonstrating his dedication to safeguarding, early intervention, and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

    His expertise in school leadership, safeguarding systems, and multi-agency working provides valuable insight to Guided Futures Advocacy, helping to ensure that services remain aligned with best practice and truly centred around the needs and wellbeing of children.

  • Kate W.

    Guided Futures Advocacy Advisory Board

    Chartered Governance Professional

    Kate Cummins Warkman is a Chartered Governance Professional and Company Secretary, bringing specialist expertise in governance, compliance, and organisational oversight. As an Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (ACG), she has a strong foundation in ensuring organisations operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

    Kate’s experience in corporate governance provides valuable support to Guided Futures Advocacy, helping to ensure robust structures, clear decision-making processes, and adherence to best practice. Her role strengthens the organisation’s commitment to operating ethically and professionally, particularly as it grows to support families and vulnerable individuals.

    Her insight is instrumental in ensuring that Guided Futures Advocacy maintains the highest standards of governance while delivering impactful and trustworthy services.

  • Nicole M.

    Guided Futures Advocacy Advisory Board

    Social Worker, Children’s Services

    Nicole is a registered Social Worker currently practising within children’s Services. With frontline experience supporting children and families, she brings valuable insight into safeguarding, statutory processes, and the complexities of multi-agency working.

    Registered with Social Work England, Nicole is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and best interests of children, particularly those who are vulnerable or have additional needs.

    Her practical experience within local authority services strengthens Guided Futures Advocacy’s approach, ensuring it remains grounded in current safeguarding standards and real-world practice.